Description

The number of anxious, depressed, hyperactive and withdrawn children is staggering and still growing! Millions have experienced bullying, violence (real or in the media), abuse or sexual molestation. Many other kids have been traumatized from more ordinary ordeals such as terrifying medical procedures, accidents, loss and divorce. "Trauma-Proofing Your Kids" sends a lifeline to parents who wonder how they can help their worried and troubled children now. It offers simple but powerful tools to keep children safe from danger "and" to help them bounce back after feeling scared and overwhelmed. No longer will kids have to be passive prey to predators or the innocent victims of life s circumstances.In addition to arming parents with priceless protective strategies, best-selling authors Dr. Peter A. Levine and Maggie Kline offer an antidote to trauma and a recipe for creating resilient kids no matter what misfortune has besieged them. "Trauma-Proofing Your Kids "is a treasure trove of simple-to-follow stress-busting, boundary-setting, sensory/motor-awareness activities that counteract trauma s effect on a child s body, mind and spirit. Including a chapter on how to navigate the inevitable difficulties that arise during the various ages and stages of development, this ground-breaking book simplifies an often mystifying and complex subject, empowering parents to raise truly confident and joyful kids despite stressful and turbulent times."show more

About Peter Levine

Peter A. Levine, PhD, is the developer of Somatic Experiencing and founder of the Foundation for Human Enrichment. A NASA consultant, he lives in Encinitas, CA. Maggie Kline, MFT, has more than 30 years of experience as a teacher, family and child therapist, school psychologist, and parent. She lives in Long Beach, CA."show more

Review quote

Peter Levine and Maggie Kline have done an outstanding job of helping parents, and everyone else, to understand the different kinds of trauma children may face. I have done a lot of work in therapy around my own traumatic childhood event and was able to try out many of the easy-to-follow exercises they provide. I truly felt a relief and peacefulness that I had never felt before. I treasure this book and hope you will too. " "Violet Oaklander, PhD, author of "Windows to Our Children: A Gestalt Therapy Approach to Children and Adolescents "and" Hidden Treasure: A Map to the Child s Inner Self" If you ve ever wondered how to help children navigate the rough and tumble vicissitudes of life, this book is a godsend. " "Sandra Blakeslee, co-author of "The Body Has a Mind of Its Own" This book is a must for every parent, teacher, coach and scout leader. It helps us to understand the stages of childhood development and supports parents in dealing with each stage more appropriately and sensitively. It is a pioneering work, a pioneering insight and a pioneering triumph. It is visionary common sense, pure and simple. " "From the foreword by Mira Rothenberg "Trauma-Proofing Your Kids "is an important tool to help parents and "all "adults deal with children that have experienced trauma. Understanding that trauma is a part of life should signal all of us to prepare ourselves for the inevitable. " "Ron Scruggs, athletic coach, parent and grandparent"show more

Table of contents

Dedication and Acknowledgments
Foreword by Mira Rothenberg
CHAPTER I
Trauma Is a Fact of Life
Real-Life Examples of Children We Have Known
Trauma Is Not Only in the Event
The Recipe for Trauma
The Recipe for Resilience
CHAPTER II
Building Resilience by Building Sensory Skills through Practice, Practice and More Practice
Giving Appropriate Support to an Overwhelmed Child
Simple Steps to Build Resilience
Developing a Calming Presence
Getting Acquainted with Your Own Sensations
Exercise: Noticing Sensations
Exercise: Exploring Sensations and the Rhythm of Pendulation
Exercise: Tracking Sensations with a Partner
Exercise: Making a Sensation Treasure Chest
First Aid for Trauma Prevention: A Step-by-Step Guide
CHAPTER III
Tricks of the Trade: Restoring Resilience through Play, Art and Rhymes
The Story of Sammy
Four Principles to Guide Children’s Play Toward Resolution
More Help for Kids through “Make-Believe” Play
Art Activities: Clay, Play Dough, Painting and Drawing
Nature and Animal Rhymes Combined with Drawings That Build Resources
CHAPTER IV
Remedies for Specific Situations: Amusement Park Rides to Zebra Bites
First Aid for Accidents and Falls
The Purpose of Touch When Helping a Child in Shock
The Power of Language to Soothe and Heal
Exercise: Experiencing the Power of Words
More Animal Rhymes to Help Your Child Regain Self-Confidence
A Guide to Constructing a Healing Story
Prevention of Medical Trauma
What Parents Can Do to Prepare Children for Surgery or Other Medical Procedures
When the Medical Procedure Is an Emergency
Elective Surgeries
Sensitivity to Your Child’s Pain
A Timely Word about Bullies and School Shootings
CHAPTER V
Ages & Stages: Building Confidence by Fostering Healthy Development
Responding to Your Infant: Issues of Safety and Trust
Your Toddler’s Needs: “Me Do It Myself”
“Tug of War” with Your Three- to Four-Year-Old
Your Flirtatious Four- to Six-Year-Old Boy or Girl
Adolescent Development: Who Am I?
CHAPTER VI
Sexual Violation: Reducing the Risk and Early Detection
Sexual Trauma Symptoms
Reducing the Risk of Sexual Wounds
What Is Sexual Violation?
Steps Caregivers Can Take to Decrease Children’s Susceptibility
Games for Kids to Practice Making Boundaries
Why Most Children Don’t Tell: Making It Safe for Them to Tell You
Date Rape and Other Teen Issues
CHAPTER VII
Separation, Divorce and Death: Helping Your Child Move through the Grieving Process
Symptoms of Grief versus Symptoms of Trauma
Two Views of Divorce: Rosy or Dark?
Surviving Divorce: A Guide to Preserving Your Child’s Wholeness
Helping Your Child Grieve
Dealing with the Death of a Pet
Steps That Help Children Resolve Their Grief
Exercise: Grief Recovery
CHAPTER VIII
Guerrilla Warfare in Our Neighborhoods: The Real Battle to Protect Kids from Terror
Models for Change in Hospitals and Medical Centers
A Peek at a Model Family-Centered Children’s Hospital
Community Crisis Intervention
A New Model for Crisis Debriefing at School
Notes
Bibliography
Additional Resources
About the Authors
Foundation for Human Enrichmentshow more